1 Samuel 17:55–18:5

⁵⁵As Saul watched David going out against the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” 

Abner answered, “I solemnly swear, as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 

⁵⁶The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 

⁵⁷When David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner brought him to Saul. David had the Philistine’s head in his hand. 

⁵⁸Saul asked him, “Whose son are you, young man?” 

“The son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem,” David answered. 

18TH CHAPTER

David’s Love for Jonathan

¹David finished talking to Saul. After that, Jonathan became David’s closest friend. He loved David as much as ⸤he loved⸥ himself. ²(From that day on Saul kept David ⸤as his servant⸥ and didn’t let him go back to his family.) ³So Jonathan made a pledge of mutual loyalty with David because he loved him as much as ⸤he loved⸥ himself. ⁴Jonathan took off the coat he had on and gave it to David along with his battle tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt. 

⁵David was successful wherever Saul sent him. Saul put him in charge of the fighting men. This pleased all the people, including Saul’s officials.